Joint Derry-Donegal camper van route plan

A potential new cross-border camper van route for Derry & Donegal is to be explored, as well as better parking facilities for motor home owners north of the border.

The matter was raised at Derry City & Strabane District Council’s Business & Culture Committee meeting on Tuesday.

The committee was told that an accommodation audit, which included caravan and motor home provision on council-owned sites, was carried out before the 2013 City of Culture year.

It was concluded at the time that St. Columb’s Park would be a suitable site for motor home/caravan provision, however, the plan was shelved due to significant opposition raised from the Limavady Road Residents’ Group.

At present, the committee has been informed, there is only one purpose built facility for motor homes/camper vans within the council area, which is a privately-owned business, Elaghvale Motor Home Park near the border.

Derry also has two temporary facilities, available on request, at the City of Derry Rugby Club and Foyle College.

Donegal County Council, meanwhile, already has a number of privately owned motor home sites in operation.

It was agreed at the council meeting, to explore the development of a motor home route on a cross-border basis with Donegal County Council.

The feasibility of motor home/camper van provision in the Bay Road area of Derry will also be looked at, alongside possible sites within the 31 car parks the council has acquired from central government last year.

Chairing the meeting, SDLP Derry Councillor John Boyle said: “I think it is important that we look at that broad picture again, The most significant thing in relation to this is that Council now has ownership and control of car parks in the city and district.”